A total of 638 NFL players served in the US Military during World War II, and as noted in the NFL Roster Manual, 355 were commissioned, 69 were decorated and 19 gave their lives for our country.

Frank Balazs, a star at the University of Iowa and a Green Bay Packers' fullback, he received the 'President Unit Citation' while a member of the famed 'Wake Avengers Fighters Squadron' while serving in the Philippines/Pearl Harbor where he contacted malaria... returned to play two games with the Chicago Cardinals (NFL) in 1945.

Andrew 'Andy' Chisicki, an outstanding center at the University of Notre Dame and a veteran of two years with the Chicago Cardinals (NFL) he was awarded the Silver Star for his brave actions in New Guinea... did not return to pro football.

John Shirk, a speedy Chicago Cardinals' End who hailed from Oklahoma City, he joined the military in 1941, his rookie season, and was in captivity of the German Army until he was freed by the Russian Army in 1945... did not return to pro football. Michael Koken, a top-notch quarterback and halfback with Notre Dame before playing one season with Chicago Cardinals, he was awarded a 'Purple Heart' after being injured by a Nazi Zero War Plane at Normandy in 1944... did not return to pros... All Rights Reserved - footballhistorian.com

George McAfee
Halfback, Chicago Bears 1940-1950, US Military 1942-1945; Duke University

A member of the NFL Hall of Fame, George 'One Play' McAfee was an instant success for the Chicago Bears in his rookie year of 1940. A consensus All-Pro in his sophomore season his 7.3 yards per/carry and 12 touchdowns were highest in the NFL in '41 when he finished second in yards rushing with 474 including a 70-yard TD run.

And then, McAfee spent the next three seasons in the U.S. Military.

Football Historian

He returned to the Bears in 1945 having lost a few seconds of his blazing speed but none-the-less was a well-regarded pro football star for six more years. 'One Play' McAfee scored 23 career rushing touchdowns and 10 pass-catching TDs in his brilliant career with the Chicago Bears.

Wayne Millner
End and Defensive Back - Boston Redskins 1936; Washington Redskins 1937-1941, 1945; US Military 1942-1945

Wayne Millner, a member of the NFL Hall of Fame, was a fleet-footed pass-catching end and a tough aggressive defensive back and helped the Redskins win their first-ever World Championship - 1937.

An all-star at the University of Notre Dame, Millner joined the old Boston Redskins in 1936 and went with the team when they moved to Washington the next season. Noted for his excellent offensive line-blocking at the end position, Millner was also an outstanding defense back. Wayne Millner caught 124 passes for 1,578 yards, and 12 TD in his brilliant career.

Cecil Isbell
Quarterback and Halfback - Green Bay Packers 1938-1942; US World War II Service

A headline news making quarterback during this era, Cecil Isbell put up big-time numbers in his five NFL seasons before leaving for War-time Service in 1943. As a halfback and quarterback in 1939 he helped the Green Bay Packers win the NFL Championship by rushing for 407 yards in 132 carries, six touchdowns and by tossing for 749 yards on 103 attempts.

In 1941, Isbell broke Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh's all-time passing record by throwing for 1,479 yards to lead the NFL and shattered his record the next with a whopping total of 2,021 yards and 14 touchdowns. Isbell's 24 TD passes during the regular season also were the all-time high in professional football history until Baugh hurled 25 TD in 1947.

Cecil Isbell career stats: Completed 411-of-818 passing attempts, a 50.2 pct, 5,945 yards and 61 touchdowns.

Top Passing Performances for Week of Nov 1-6, 2000

NFL Quarterbacks: Passing: Grbac, Chiefs... 39 Comp of 53 Att, 504 yards, 2TD, 2 Int..... Green, Rams.... 29 Comp of 42 Att, 428 yards, 2 TD, 0 Int..... Griese, Broncos.. 22 Comp of 35 Att, 327 yds, 2 TD, 1 Int..... Manning, Colts... 26 Comp of 39 Att, 302 yds, 2 TD, 1 Int..... Testaverde, Jets... 21 Comp of 42 Att, 293 yds, 1 TD, 2 Int..... George, Redskins...20 Comp of 39 Att, 276 yds, 0TD, 2 Int.... Blake, Saints... 20 Comp of 26 Att, 275 yards, 3 TD, 0 Int..... Garcia, 49ers... 22 Comp of 36 Att, 262 yards, 1 TD, 3 Int..... Collins, Giants... 19 Comp of 31 Att, 257 yds, 3 TD, 0 Int..... Dilfer, Ravens... 23 Comp of 34 Att, 244 yds, 3 TD, 0 Int..... Receiving: Horn, Saints... 9 Passes Caught - 167 yards and 1 touchdown... Hakim, Rams... 8 Passes Caught - 147 yards and 1 touchdown... Alexander, Chiefs. 9 Passes Caught - 139 yds and 2 touchdowns... Gonzalez, Chiefs... 9 Passes Caught - 134 yds - 0 touchdowns... Holt, Rams... 4 Passes Caught - 134 yards and 0 touchdowns... footballhistorian.com

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